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The Lettered Olive: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Education News
[ November 3, 2023]
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As we pack away October's festive (and sometimes ghoulish) Halloween decorations and costumes, we begin to cycle into the heart of fall, which is chock-full of holidays, heritage recognition campaigns, and hearty foods such as soups and stews. It's also a time when days are noticeably shorter as we "fall back" in an attempt to capture as much daylight as possible. With the shortened days and so many time commitments, how does one keep life organized? Although our featured species may not "pen"cil in their schedule like we might, its physical shape resembles that of a quill pen. The pen clam (family Pinnidae) is a common mollusk found along South Carolina's beaches that possesses distinguishable features including a fan-shaped structure that tapers from one end to the other. Brown in color, the pen clam easily camouflages underneath the sand, where it extends the narrow end of its shell above the sand and uses byssal threads to secure itself on a hard structure. The pen clam is a filter feeder and often is found in commensal relationships with other organisms, such as small shrimp and crabs.
So, in the spirit of our featured species, be sure to shell-abrate this fall season by taking advantage of these exciting educational opportunities from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and our partners!
Photo credit: E.V. Bell
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Educator Resources and Professional Development | |
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Educator Science Café
Career Connections: Sailing the High Seas
November 8, 2023 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
USS Yorktown (Charleston, S.C.)
Only a few spaces remain! Register for the kick-off of the 2023 - 2024 Educator Science Café Series! Educators are invited to join Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium on November 8th for a National STEM Day celebration aboard the USS Yorktown! Speakers, exhibits, and activities will be focused on ocean science careers, exploration, and technology. Featured speakers include Dr. Leslie Sautter with the College of Charleston and scientists working aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's ship the Nancy Foster. Registration is required and light refreshments will be provided. Please contact Hannah Giddens or E.V. Bell with questions.
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All Booked Up Coastal Reading Club
Are you a formal, nonformal, or homeschool educator interested in discussing books focused on the environment? Join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s All Booked Up (ABU) Coastal Reading Club!
Please visit the ABU webpage to join our listserv and learn about benefits of becoming a member. Our next book will be Rice by Nikky Finney and new members who register by November 10, 2023 will receive a free hard copy. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.
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Something Very Fishy: Elementary Teaching Resources for Ocean and Climate Literacy
The Something Very Fishy (SVF) program coordinated by Clemson University has two new resources and opportunities for educators:
1) Marine Life Coloring Book available here.
2) SVF Coral Reef Adventure at Clemson University
November 13 - 17, 2023 from 9:30 - 11:30 am
Clemson University Science Outreach Center
The SVF Coral Reef Adventure returns to the Science Outreach Center at Clemson University this fall! This 90-minute, imaginary field trip will engage students in grades K - 3 as they travel through the Florida Keys with Sunny the Seal to visit the Aquarius Reef Base, the Marathon Sea Turtle Hospital, the Mote Marine Lab Coral Nursery, and the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center live animal display. To sign up for this free program, please complete the registration form. For more information please contact Dr. Michael Childress.
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New! Coastal Heritage Magazine and
Curriculum Connection
The latest issue of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium's award-winning magazine, Coastal Heritage, is now available! The issue, "Writing Toward Place: Inspiration from the World Around Us," features how local poet Nikky Finney incorporates environment, Black history, generational histories, social justice, and culture into her work.
Educators can download the magazine's educational supplement, Curriculum Connection, which provides standards-aligned activities and resources as well as field trip suggestions.
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Student Opportunities and Resources | |
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NOAA Fisheries Threatened and Endangered Species Student Art Contest
Deadline for Entries: December 1, 2023
Help the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act! Students in grades K - 8 and located in the Southeast region are invited to participate in the Threatened and Endangered Species Art Contest to showcase their knowledge and commitment to protecting these animals. Artwork must include at least one threatened or endangered marine species found in the Southeast Region, and can include portraying them in their natural habitat, threats, and recovery-related stewardship. Questions can be sent to Calusa Horn.
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College of Charleston STEM Education Day
November 6, 2023 from 9:00 - 11:00 am
TD Arena (Charleston, S.C.)
Join the College of Charleston's School of Science and Mathematics and the Lady Cougar's basketball team for the annual STEM (science-technology-engineering-math) Education Day. The event is free to attend for 4th - 8th grade students. Participants will enjoy math and science activities beginning at 9:00 a.m. prior to the Lady Cougars 11:00 am tipoff. Please visit the STEM Education Day page to register your class or school.
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S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
Public Information Coordinator (Full-Time)
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) is seeking a Coastal Public Information Coordinator to write and produce content related to Consortium research, education, extension, and communications activities. For more information and to apply, please visit the Consortium's Employment page.
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Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission
Education Specialist (Full-Time)
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has an immediate opening for a full-time Education Specialist. For more information and to apply online, please visit CCPRC's Employment Opportunities.
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Additional Opportunities and Resources | |
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S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Speaker Request Form
Do you have a science night or career day coming up in the future? Would you like a speaker for your students or organization? The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) has plenty to share regarding marine science careers, current research projects, and engaging coastal science activities for all ages! Be sure to check out our career page to learn more about the Consortium, and if you are interested in booking the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium for an upcoming career day or science night, please fill out this request form.
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Enviroscape Loaner Program
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium offers use of the Wetlands Enviroscape Model free-of-charge to any S.C. K-12, nonformal, and homeschool educator. The model provides a hands-on demonstration about how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other human-made and natural impacts. Included as part of the demonstration are ways in which potential pollution impacts can be mitigated (e.g., riparian buffers and salt marshes). To find out more information on requesting to borrow the Enviroscape, please visit the Enviroscape Loaner Program webpage to fill out the request form. Questions can be sent to Morgan Treon.
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Join hundreds of South Carolina educators like you! The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium sends out marine science and coastal education updates every month with opportunities and resources. |
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